McLeodGanja, this is the second time I have heard you refer to my nation's president as a monkey faced bollock twat, and I must say, I dig that about you, Dude! He does have a monkey face! And he is a bollock twat!

I am personally leaning toward Obama, although I haven't fully decided yet. I don't agree with all of his policies, but I agree with most. Responding to what you were saying, I think he would go a long way toward repairing America's damaged image around the world. He is the kind of person that I think people would respond to around the world in a way that they have never done for any other president.

He is one of those people who transcends race. He's like Colin Powel or Tiger Woods in that he is a black man who you do not think of in terms of his race --- he himself does not speak in terms of race. He's gotten away from the American race politics of people like Jesse Jackson. He stands on his own merits, which is what America really is about. He is inclusive, where most race-charged politics of the past was not. It is a much younger and inclusive way to relating to race than the older generation had. That approach is the future of this country.

I still need to learn more about him, but the qualites that you mentioned are definiitely there. He is youthful, opitmistic, energetic and hopeful in a way that other candidates cannot match. That might not be enough, but it is refreshing. Also, I do not believe it is fake --- I think he is authentic, and that is another part of his appeal.